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Davis said work by Corrections to manage violent extremism helped meet its top priority of public safety but he had never been briefed on, or heard of, "Māori nationalist groups".

"I've received no advice on any threat from extremist Māori groups, and frankly it's disappointing to use unnecessary, provocative language like that while we're building closer partnerships between Māori and the Crown."

He said he had never heard concerns raised of "Māori nationalist groups" despite long involvement in efforts across community, gang and government groups.

O'Reilly said it had resonance with lurid Truth tabloid headlines of the 1970s which depicted Māori in an adverse, militant role.

"It's in the lexicon, buried in the subconscious. It lingers."

A long-time prison guard, speaking anonymously, said he was also unaware of such a threat.

There had been concerns about the potential for growth in Islamic extremism at a prison in one North Island region, he said.

While still on Corrections' radar, he said the situation largely managed itself with organised gangs in prison taking issue with the possibility of losing recruits.

He said there had also been concerns prior to Tūhoe activist Tame Iti's imprisonment over his role in the Urewera training camps which caused a terror-scare a decade ago.

While other inmates did gather about Iti, the guard said the support the veteran activist received was peaceful and there was no hint of trouble.

Police eventually apologised to Tūhoe over the hurt caused by the 2007 raids, which saw illegal road blocks seal off the towns of Ruatoki and in Taneatua during the hunt for those believed to be involved in military-style training camps in the Urewera bush.

The Sunday Star-Times found itself embarrassed a few years earlier after it ran a story purporting to expose a NZ Security Intelligence Service operation targeting Māori.